Frances Monson, the wife of President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away early this morning at the age of 85.
A news release from the church says Sister Monson never sought the spotlight, but President Monson said she was the practical partner in their 64-year marriage. Speaking at the church’s General Conference in 2008, he recalled the moment when she woke up in the hospital after living in a coma for almost a month.
“And I gave her a kiss, and a hug," he said. "And I said, ‘You’re back. I love you.’ And she said, ‘I love you too, Tom. But we’re in serious trouble.’ I thought, ‘What do you know about trouble, Frances?’ She said, 'I forgot to mail in our fourth-quarter income tax payment.'”
Frances Monson was a graduate of the University of Utah who excelled at math and science. The Monsons had three children who said she taught them thrift and self-reliance.
She had been in the hospital for several weeks when she passed away about 6:35 Friday morning of causes incident to age.